engine braking good or bad
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
hmmmm...
When keeping the clutch in and slowing down and clicking down gears, if you suddenly needed to accelerate, how would you know that you had "clicked down" to the right gear for the speed you are going??? You wouldn't, you are relying on your best guess based on your speed. And are you watching your speedo the entire time you slow down so as to know which gear to "click down" to? I doubt it because if you were you wouldn't be watching traffic. So you are "clicking down" to your "best guess" gear based on your perceived speed. It's your bike, and its your life, do what you like, but this riding style will bite you in the a$$ eventually.
I can see what he's saying and that's kinda how I started out but, you must be one super jet-eye focused dude cause I could never remember excaty what gear I was in or loose track while down shifting... Then let out the clucth for that "situation" and F*** around and still be in the wrong gear.
Down shifting as I'm slowing down alows me to KNOW I'm in the right gear by the sound and feel of the bike. You don't get that with the clutch pulled in coasting.
Thanks everyone,
Jason
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 1
From: Sheridan, AR
I can see what he's saying and that's kinda how I started out but, you must be one super jet-eye focused dude cause I could never remember excaty what gear I was in or loose track while down shifting... Then let out the clucth for that "situation" and F*** around and still be in the wrong gear.
Down shifting as I'm slowing down alows me to KNOW I'm in the right gear by the sound and feel of the bike. You don't get that with the clutch pulled in coasting.
Thanks everyone,
Jason
Down shifting as I'm slowing down alows me to KNOW I'm in the right gear by the sound and feel of the bike. You don't get that with the clutch pulled in coasting.
Thanks everyone,
Jason
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
When keeping the clutch in and slowing down and clicking down gears, if you suddenly needed to accelerate, how would you know that you had "clicked down" to the right gear for the speed you are going??? You wouldn't, you are relying on your best guess based on your speed. And are you watching your speedo the entire time you slow down so as to know which gear to "click down" to? I doubt it because if you were you wouldn't be watching traffic. So you are "clicking down" to your "best guess" gear based on your perceived speed. It's your bike, and its your life, do what you like, but this riding style will bite you in the a$$ eventually.
As for your last statement. I do not understand how, by not engine braking when coming to a stop, is going to endanger my life. That's a pretty amazing conclusion.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, Oregon
Engine braking is a GOOD THING.
It does not add wear and tear to the motor. Rather, it uses the compession in the jugs to do the job. As an added bonus, it saves on brake wear. Flicking the lever(s) does help to warn the Prius driver on the cell phone, if they're paying attention.
It does not add wear and tear to the motor. Rather, it uses the compession in the jugs to do the job. As an added bonus, it saves on brake wear. Flicking the lever(s) does help to warn the Prius driver on the cell phone, if they're paying attention.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 3
From: Inland Empire, So Cal
Yep....basic riding skills would indicate this is a good thing. Engine braking and down shifting is the way you should ride not only a motorcycle, but a car with manual transmission as well. It just baffels me when someone coasts to a stop with the clutch in then move the gear shift from 5th to 1st. As others have said, downshifting assures you are always in the right gear for the speed you are at.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Yep....basic riding skills would indicate this is a good thing. Engine braking and down shifting is the way you should ride not only a motorcycle, but a car with manual transmission as well. It just baffels me when someone coasts to a stop with the clutch in then move the gear shift from 5th to 1st. As others have said, downshifting assures you are always in the right gear for the speed you are at.
Actually I don't coast, I use the brakes, and I'll be danged if it don't stop me every time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
Yep....basic riding skills would indicate this is a good thing. Engine braking and down shifting is the way you should ride not only a motorcycle, but a car with manual transmission as well. It just baffels me when someone coasts to a stop with the clutch in then move the gear shift from 5th to 1st. As others have said, downshifting assures you are always in the right gear for the speed you are at.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 7
From: Jackson, Michigan
Good thread - I was thinking about this the other day while riding. Sounds like ebraking doesn't hurt anything if done smoothly and at appropriate RPM intervals. No matter what being, in the right gear for the speed traveling IS important.
Would you believe me if I told you I combine downshifting/ebraking and brakes? I figured if I need to operate the brake lights I might as well squeeze lightly while stopping. I pull the clutch in at 15 to 20 as well, of course.
I like the sensation of knowing I'm in the right range on the way down. That way I don't have to worry about it and I can focus on watching out for idiots in front of and behind me.
Would you believe me if I told you I combine downshifting/ebraking and brakes? I figured if I need to operate the brake lights I might as well squeeze lightly while stopping. I pull the clutch in at 15 to 20 as well, of course.
I like the sensation of knowing I'm in the right range on the way down. That way I don't have to worry about it and I can focus on watching out for idiots in front of and behind me.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Princeton, NC
I ride an Ultra and use the front brake when I have slowed down from 6th to 5th and I downshift no lower than 4th. The rear tire wear is terrible when you downshift too agressively on the baggers. I rode my Ultra like I did my other bikes and got only 4800 miles out of my first rear tire. Now I don't downshift below 4th gear and my tire wear is much better. This was recommended to me by all the wrenches at the dealership...and they sell tires!!!
But you ride just like you want to....it's your bike
But you ride just like you want to....it's your bike